MEDIA ADVISORY: U.S. Representatives Mario Díaz-Balart, Maria Elvira Salazar, Carlos A. Giménez, and Nicole Malliotakis Make the Case for Indicting Raúl Castro

May 19, 2026 Press Release WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26), María Elvira Salazar (FL-27), Carlos A. Giménez (FL-28), and Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) will host a joint press conference making the case for indicting Raúl Castro following his involvement in the 1996 shootdown of the Brothers to the Rescue civilian aircraft and highlighting the national security threat that the Castro regime poses to the United States. Held on May 20th, Cuba’s Independence Day, members will gather at a pivotal moment for the island to reaffirm a message growing across Cuba and throughout exile communities alike: the moment for a free Cuba is now. Earlier this year, U.S. Representatives Mario Díaz-Balart, Maria Elvira Salazar, Carlos A. Giménez, and Nicole Malliotakis sent a letter to President Donald J. Trump asking that his administration consider indicting Raúl Castro for his involvement in the 1996 shootdown of the Brothers to the Rescue civilian aircraft, which resulted in the cold-blooded murder of four individuals, including American citizens. Read the full letter here . WHO : Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26), Dean of the Florida Congressional Delegation and Chairman of the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Subcommittee of the House Committee on Appropriations Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar (FL-27), Chairwoman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere Congressman Carlos A. Giménez (FL-28), Chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), Member of the Ways and Means Committee WHAT: Press Conference making the case for indicting Raúl Castro WHEN: Wednesday, May 20, 2026 9:00 a.m. ET WHERE : Studio A - HVC 117 U.S. Capitol Washington D.C. Please note: **Only members of the press who are credentialed by any of the press galleries can attend the presser. There is no distinction between House and Senate.** Outside groups will not be allowed to enter the studio as observers. Only staff of participating members and Capitol Hill-accredited journalists may attend the press conference. ### Issues : Cuba Foreign Affairs Defense/National Security